Following a year of significant renovation, the baseball venue at Abilene Christian University now bears a new name to match the upgraded facility. Crutcher Scott Field at Bullock Brothers Ballpark honors former ACU baseball players Joe Bullock (’80) and Robert Bullock (’81), the only brothers to each earn regional postseason honors while playing for the Wildcats in the same season.
Joe was a sophomore catcher, designated hitter and pitcher who hit .330 while leading his team in home runs and RBIs in 1978, and was named first-team All-NAIA District IV in 1979 as a junior catcher and designated hitter after leading ACU in hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, co-founded the Bullock Hartley CPA firm in 1994, and died in 2021 at age 62 following an illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is survived by his wife, Emily Bullock, and two children, Tyler Bullock and Taren (Bullock ’09) Lowe.
Robert was named honorable mention All-NAIA District IV as a sophomore outfielder in 1979 when he hit .299 with 23 RBIs. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and in 1989, became an owner/partner of a senior housing company currently known as Sagora Senior Living Inc. He is married to Melanie (Evans ’82) Bullock, and they have two children, Brenna (Bullock ’07) Blacklock and Calee Wilson.
Joe and Robert are also brothers to April (Bullock ’89) Anthony, chair of ACU’s Board of Trustees.
“This naming honors two accomplished former Wildcat student-athletes, but more than that, it honors two people of character and purpose,” said Dr. Phil Schubert (’91), ACU president. “I’m grateful for both of these men and their remarkable legacy of faith and leadership.”
Crutcher Scott Field at Bullock Brothers Ballpark replaces the previous venue built in 1991 – the playing surface of the new ballpark retains the Crutcher Scott Field name in tribute to former longtime trustee and prominent Abilene businessman A.C. “Crutcher” Scott (’24).
Renovations to the ballpark began in May 2024 and include chairback seats, an open-air pavilion roof along the first-base line, a new press box, new artificial turf and LED illumination for Crutcher Scott Field, outdoor gathering spaces, and enhanced player development facilities.
“Our goal at ACU is to create an environment where our student-athletes can grow in their faith, reach their potential in the classroom and compete for championships,” said Zack Lassiter, vice president for athletics. “I believe these facility enhancements will be a game changer for our baseball program, and I’m so grateful for the unparalleled generosity of the ACU community.”
Newly named spaces in Bullock Brothers Ballpark include:
- Wessel Family Player Development Center, honoring Rick (’81) and Debbie (Rains ’79) Wessel, as well as their children and grandchildren: daughter Jenny (Wessel ’04) Haskin, husband Travis Haskin (’05) and their children, Holden and Harper; and their son, Jared Wessel (’09), wife Erin (Knight ’08) Wessel, and their children, Rhett and Reagan.
- Mabee Courtyard, recognizing the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation.
- Autrey Family Pavilion, honoring the Autrey family – Larry (’18 MBA) and Tiffany, and sons Landon (’21) and Chandler.
- McCaleb and Miller Team Room, recognizing two former Wildcat teammates who were instrumental in bringing baseball back to campus in 1991: Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64), vice president emeritus of the university, and C. Todd Miller (’62), former longtime trustee and Dallas businessman.
- Bourland Family Classroom, honoring the Bourland family – Bart and Amanda, son Lane (’19) and wife Preslee (Hererra ’21), and daughters Peyton (’21) and Logan (’24).
A grand opening of the ballpark will take place April 12 when the Wildcats host Utah Tech in a Western Athletic Conference game at 3:05 p.m.
